December 28, 2016

What would bring people out to this quiet neighbourhood of Greenwood Avenue where Fratini La Trattoria is tucked in? Unpretentious Italian food with a hospitable touch by head chef, Chomel Yang.

Just 25 years of age, Chomel’s first taste of success in F&B was when she was able to pay off her NTU university tuition fees from the sale of her homemade desserts. This led to her pursuing a diploma course at the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu in London, and then helming Fratini La Trattoria since January 2016.

This is perhaps one of the best places in Singapore to experience a taste of Italy when you have no money for the airfare.

The fine-dining establishment at Resort World Sentosa is best known for its French haute cuisine, fronted by celebrity chef Joël Robuchon who is the world's most decorated Michelin-star chef and a legend in the culinary world.

With 26 restaurants, pastry boutiques and bars in more than 10 cities, as well as a string of awards and cookbooks, I guess most of you would have heard of the Robuchon name at some point.

December 22, 2016

One-Ninety Restaurant, the all-day dining concept at Four Seasons Hotel has revitalized its signature Market Fresh Semi-Buffet with a new extensive menu of nearly 30 entrées!

It includes the Italian Selection led by an Italian executive chef who brings with him more than two decades of expertise, Asian Specialties featuring popular Asian dishes, and From The Grill showcasing apple wood-fired cuisine.

There is also the buffet lineup of Appetizers and Desserts to enjoy.

The bestest best best best advice from the group of us who went for dinner would be: COME HUNGRY!!!

December 18, 2016

Gathering all the beef lovers! Rejoice, as yet another meaty option opens in the heart of town at Chijmes.

Remember its name - Renga-Ya Japanese BBQ & Steak Restaurant - for this is where you will find the best of freshly imported beef from the prefectures of Hokkaido and Kagoshima in Japan. As Renga-Ya is able to import whole cows, diners can look forward to a wide-range of cuts for yakiniku and steak.

Our evening and calories were certainly well-spent in the company of these amazing graze.

December 16, 2016

Home-grown brand Basil Thai Kitchen has unveiled its flagship outlet in Paragon Shopping Centre in Orchard Road just last month in November. This is two years after the first branch was launched at Kallang Wave Mall in 2014.

To be honest, I was skeptical initially because, you know lah... how exciting can chain restaurants be? You may have heard of ThaiExpress, which is also operated under the same parent company.

But as Basil is located near my office and tummy need dinner anyway, I decided to make the visit. Must cast those prejudical thoughts aside.

Oh boy, it was a pleasant surprise to find the food more delectable than imagined. There are quite a few unique offerings on the menu too, created by a team of chefs with over 20years of experience and headed by Iron Chef Thailand, Chumpol Jangprai.

December 12, 2016

Pardon our ignorance, but we have not heard of Shoukouwa Sushi Restaurant小康和 until it was conferred a coveted "excellent cooking and worth a detour" 2-Michelin Star by the inaugural 2016 Michelin Guide Singapore.

Shoukouwa is only Japanese restaurant alongside the other 5 restaurants that also received 2-Michelin Stars, namely André, L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Les Amis, Odette, Shinsen Hanten. This also means a star over the longer-established sushi joints including Shinji (Raffles Hotel), Shinji (St Regis Hotel), and Sushi Ichi.

Such achievement for a restaurant that's barely opened for 4 months when the award was announced? Like cats lured to fishes, our curiosity lured us to Shoukouwa. Guess what, I'm not even a huge sushi fan to begin with, but I was WOWED!

December 10, 2016

Koreans are so delicious (looking)! Not just the men, but the food too!

Late nights watching K-drama? Diet plans foil by budae jjigae? Haha, looks like there's no getting away from any of it, especially the food. Though I had not been to 8 Eight Korean BBQ at The Central, Clarke Quay since it opened in 2013, I always know of its existence through social media.

The Korean barbecue restaurant seems to be very well-received, especially among the millennials. Apparently, it is popular enough for the owners to expand into a second outlet recently in the heart of town at Shaw Centre, offering exquisite cuts of meats in a similar chic and stylish setting.

December 08, 2016

Eat more! Drink more! At Kurama Robatayaki & Yoi Sake Bar, we can enjoy both experiences to the fullest!

The 2-in-1 Japanese bar and robatayaki was launched this August in Millenia Walk (along Nihon Food Street), inspired by co-owner and head chef Raymond Tan's concept of a dining destination where one can enjoy a wide selection of sake and produce imported from Japan and other parts of the world in a truly unique setting.

It's the perfect kind of place for after-work chill-out sessions with colleagues especially if you're working around the Suntec area. Suitable for boisterous group gatherings or casual date nights too.

December 06, 2016

This ninja clan is no flash in the pan. Just six months after Ninja Bowl (Duxton Road) is established this year in April, its sister outlet, Ninja Cut (Seah Street) swings opens its door.

That's fast! Swift like ninjas indeed.

Being "trained" by the same ninja master, former 987 radio deejay Darren Wee, Ninja Cut also offers wholesome one-bowl meals and all-day brunch items with a Japanese touch. Prices doesn't cut deeply into the wallet too, and all items are nett cost.

December 02, 2016

My excitement was embarrassingly undeniable when I got to know that dal.komm COFFEE will open its door at Singapore's The Centrepoint on 3rd December 2016.

I'd definitely be there!

For fans of hit Korean TV drama, Descendants Of The Sun (DOTS), dal.komm COFFEE is not at all unfamiliar. It is THAT café where leading actors Song Joong Ki and Song Hye Kyo had a couple of memorable moments. Remember the scene where they briefly broke up? So heart-wrenching.

Who's egg-cited over this egg-tremely adorable lazy egg character from Sanrio Japan too? Thanks to Gudetama, eggs are not only delicious and nutritious, it is also cute.

I'm unabashed to say that yours truly IG @PinkyPiggu is a huge fan, and even made a comical effort to specially dress in Gudetama's signature yellow and white color when visiting the character themed café haha.

The café is easy to spot, being located right next to the drop-off point near the convention centre wing. And of course, there is the Gudetama song which greets you as you approach the entrance. Be prepared to brace the song on repeat mode while waiting in queue.

November 28, 2016

I went naked at my virgin Christmas dinner this year! Oops, I mean I went to the "naked chef" Jamie Oliver's restaurant, Jamie's Italian! Lol!

Though there were reports that the man himself did privately cooked in the nude for his wife before, he is better known as the British celebrity chef who undo food down to its bare essentials, and for campaigning against the use of processed food in national schools. The "naked chef".

From 28th November to 31st December 2016, diners can enjoy a duo of Christmas menus featuring Italian classics with a Jamie Oliver twist.

November 26, 2016

Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel's best-selling Truffle Buttered Roast Turkey with Finanziera Terrine & Madeira Sauce (4.5-5kg, $238) is making a comeback this year by popular demand. After tasting its tender deliciousness last year and recently again, I can totally understand why.

Besides this succulent big bird with aromatic truffle notes, there is also a lineup of scrumptious Yuletide goodies at the hotel forecourt stall for takeaway from 23 November to 25 December 2016.

November 22, 2016

Karufuru Desserts at Jalan Klapa closed down fairly quickly (a few months) after its opening last year and has recently re-opened at the exact spot as Kumoya. Though the management has mainly changed, its focus is still very much on Japanese-inspired desserts. The menu has expanded to include a couple of savory items as well.

My previous visits to Karafuru were literally sweet. This trip to Kumoya was made out of curiosity as I was keen to see if the current dessert offerings are still as sweet. Well, before I get started on that, one thing is for sure: The premise remains very chio and instagrammable!

November 20, 2016

Is chicken the king? At least at Ramen Keisuke Tori King where chicken broth ramen reigns, the answer is "yes".

Though the outlet at Tanjong Pagar's 100AM has been around for 4 years and is not new anymore (we like to check out new places), it succeeded in tempting us back with a revamped menu that was recently launched on 14th November.

Chicken ramen tends to be lighter in taste, thus making it suitable for diners who are looking for cleaner flavors. The new menu features fresh interpretations of the well-loved dish, from clear to spicy soup base, as well as dry and tsukemen versions.

November 18, 2016

Considered to be one of the quieter malls along Orchard Road, Pacific Plaza is now glittering with stars. Michelin stars.

Counting Tsuta, the world's only Michelin-starred ramen eatery (recently opened on 6th November 2016) as its neighbour, renowned Kam's Roast Goose from Hong Kong will officially begin its operations in Singapore on 19th November 2016. It was awarded Michelin stars for three consecutive years (2015, 2016 & 2017)!

But as AVA's strict regulations prohibits the import of live goose and frozen ones just doesn't cut it, the local store will serve duck instead, and be simply called Kam's Roast.

So we made our way to the British-inpsired gastropub that is nestled within a heritage three-storey shophouse at Ann Siang Hill near Chinatown. The ground floor houses a casual bar, perfect for soaking up the drinking atmosphere with a couple of friends. For proper sit-down table arrangement, the elegant dining hall on level 2 will suit better.

We were given the chance to dine in the private Oxwell Study room on level 3. The room is decorated with quirky items including a scurry of rather costly UK-imported taxidermied squirrels. Found them nailed to the walls. Ouch!

November 12, 2016

With 28 outlets in Bangkok and 2 in Laos, established Bangkok 'Yen Ta Fo' noodle chain has now opened its 1st outpost in Singapore at Cathay Cineleisure Ochard.

It is named Yentafo Kruengsonge.

'Kruengsonge' refers to the selection of best ingredients in one big bowl which is what characterized the signature dish of 'yen ta fo', the ubiquitous Thai noodle dish with ingredients in a light savory broth with pink, mildly-sweet 'yen ta fo' sauce.

An all-day dual concept restaurant (derived from the French verb restaurer, meaning to restore), patisserie, and gourmet grocer, Plentyfull has opened at Millenia Walk, establishing itself as a place where restoration can be experienced through the enjoyment of honest, hearty, homemade food that is made from scratch.

Food is preservative-free and prepared with produce that is thoughtfully sourced from farmers and artisans locally and internationally. We were told that the kitchen make their own bacon and don't even own a can-opener!

November 08, 2016

We might have referred to the long-standing old-school eatery along Amoy Street by either names on different occasions, but what's in a name? If Shakespere is around, perhaps he will say "by any other name its food would taste as delicious". Regular patrons will agree.

Though it does not share the same Michelin Bib Gourmand accolade with its sister restaurant Ka Soh at College Road, or some distractors may comment it's not as good as its heydays, Swee Kee at Amoy Street still remains as one of the best places to have a piping hot bowl of naturally sweet-tasting fish head noodle soup for many, myself included.

November 06, 2016

It all began when owner-chef Yuki Onishi opened Japanese Soba Noodles Tsuta in Tokyo in 2012. The nine-seater establishment serves only 150 bowls of ramen a day, and hundreds of hopeful patrons are said to start queuing at 6am for a dining ticket which typically run out as early as 8am, though the store doesn't open its doors until 11am.

Michelin Guide inspectors must be among those who queued and ate, before deciding the well-received ramen worthy enough to be accorded a prestigious one-star Michelin in 2015.

Now, the world's only Michelin-starred ramen eatery has opened its first-ever overseas branch in Singapore! We can savor the award-winning taste of Tsuta right here at Pacific Plaza in Orchard Road!

November 02, 2016

The news is already out. Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded New Ubin Seafood is moving out of Sin Ming Industrial Estate and going west to Hillview Avenue.

Last day of operations at Sin Ming is currently confirmed to be 13th November, and they are most likely to soft-open at the new venue on either 15th or 16th November.

Though we like to check out the newest openings or catch the latest trends, there is also a part inside us which nostalgically holds on to the old times. Let's go ahead with one last meal at New Ubin Sin Ming before it has to be kept in our memories for good.

October 30, 2016

Be it freshly-shaved truffles or truffle oil, having that distinctive fragrance in our noodles can undeniably add some winning dimension to the staple carb dishes. When truffle meets noodles, sparks fly.

Such a delightful match, I even attempted to cook my Truffle Wanton Mee sometime back haha. But when time or washing up is a concern, nothing beats the convenience of walking into a store and having a bowl of truffle carboliciousness served to you hassle-free.

October 28, 2016

Epiphyte is conveniently located along Neil Road, occupying a shophouse unit that has been transformed into a café space conceptualized to combine food, art and nature.

That's why upon stepping in, you'd see art pieces from the owner's personal collection hanging on the walls. There is also an indoor garden where orchids bloom and natural daylight streams in through the airwell. So lovely.

October 26, 2016

My first glimpse into the culinary world of Waku Ghin by celebrity chef Tetsuya Wakuda wasn't at the restaurant itself, but at its dessert outpost, Patisserie Platine.

Even then, I have been thinking about visiting the award-winning, 1-Michelin Star modern Japanese establishment for the longest time. It is reputed to be one of the very best top fine-dining restaurants in Singapore.

What held me back initially? The hefty $400++ tag for a 10-course degustation dinner. Ouch!

And also, not many friends are willing to part with that kind of money for a meal. But when I had someone who is just as keen and we finally decided to go, the price had already increased to $450++! Ouch! Ouch!

Morale of the story: Why wait? Should have just go when the heart and tummy desires.

October 20, 2016

Headed over to Yo-Good Singapore after our tempura donburi meal at Tensho because we wanted to end our lunch on a refreshing note.

Following the massive revamping of Centrepoint, the grand dame of shopping mall along Orchard Road now spots a much needed facelift with quite a number of new F&B tenants drumming up some excitement. We've checked out Honolulu, Souper Tang, Tensho and of course, Yo-Good, which has its origins in Canada. Singapore is the first South East Asia franchise outpost.

Specializing in Frozen Yogurt, Smoothies, Juices and Popsicles, Yo-Good was exactly what we needed.

October 18, 2016

We all like to check out NEW openings! That would perhaps explain why I bumped into three different group of colleagues when my friend and I visited Tensho during lunch recently.TENSHO (天勝) Japanese Specialty Tendon is the latest venture by Ministry Of Food (MOF) which also owns numerous F&B concepts including AmaSoy, Dolce Tokyo, Social Square, and Ssiksin Chicken.

Following the success of other tendon specialty shops such as Ginza Itsuki Tendon and Tempura Kohaku, I think MOF's boss is pretty smart to spot food trends and quickly jump
on the bandwagon, but whether it's done well is another matter
altogether.

October 16, 2016

It was a moment of déjà vu for me when our meal at Janice Wong Restaurant was over.

Janice who? Janice Wong.

For the uninitiated, she is the acclaimed local pastry chef who has learned from some of the world's best chefs including Thomas Keller, Grant Achatz, Oriol Balaguer, and Pierre Hermé, and is named Asia's Best Pastry Chef by San Pellegrino Asia's 50 Best for 2013 & 2014.

Janice Wong Restaurant is her eponymous flagship establishment for her sweets retail shop that also includes a 40-seater restaurant serving Mod-Chinese savory fare.

This is her latest venture after opening 2am:dessert bar in Singapore's Holland Village back in 2007, followed by 2am:lab as well as outposts in Tokyo and Hong Kong. So impressive for a young woman who is only in her early-30s! However.....

Even so, we had hesitated about visiting Sin Huat Seafood Restaurant for the longest time because of the reputed negativities. Exorbitant prices. "Food nazi" chef. Rude service. Long waiting time. All are infamously as famous as Sin Huat's legendary crab bee hoon dish.

But when we finally plucked up our courage, we were rewarded with the most most most AWESOME CRAB BEE HOON! The best I've ever eaten in my life! #notexaggerating #notanyhowsaysay

October 10, 2016

One of the most beautiful restaurants I've dined at this year is..... Whitegrass.

Situated within the historic grounds of Chijmes, the Australian fine dining restaurant is prettily dressed in feminine shades of turquoise and pastel pink, with gorgeous mural of whimsical motifs of flowers, birds and fishes hand-painted across a side of the wall.

As for the food, it was just as lovely in both presentation and taste. What a heavenly match.

October 08, 2016

Mondo Mio Italian Restaurant is one of the numerous establishments in Roberston Quay which we might have passed by before but never really take notice, until we were made aware recently that the Southern Italian restaurant has introduced a collection of off-the-menu specials on top of a freshly revamped menu in light of its 10th anniversary.

What?! 10 years! I was pretty astounded for it's no mean feat for any independent dining joint to survive this long in our competitive local F&B scene. Foodies (myself included) can be an "unfaithful" bunch as we are always in search of NEW openings, or the next Instagram-worthy darling.

How did Mondo Mio manage to survive for so long? Two reasons came to mind: Either the food is damn good, or .....

October 02, 2016

There is so much more to adore about Vietnamese cuisine besides the ubiquitous pho, banh mi and rice paper roll. That is what we discovered during our recent trip to Saigon Alley.

Located at Novena Gardens (next to Revenue House), Saigon Alley is a casual dining concept serving a range of comforting home-style Vietnamese cuisine inspired by the street food of Ho Chi Minh City and the colorful vibes of Saigon.

We went, we ate, we fell in love with the yummy food and quaint little place.

September 28, 2016

Not at a typical coffeshop zhi char stall though. The intended place is Wok Master which serves up an array of claypot and wok-fried dishes in the comfort of a casual restaurant setting. Situated within level 2 of City Square Mall, the location is directly connected to Farrer Park Mrt Station (NE8) so no worries about being caught in any temperamental weather situations either.

Ahh... a sumptuous zhi char meal in a convenient location with air-conditioning! This sounds like a great plan!

September 26, 2016

Instead of the vibrant, anime world of "Boruto", we stepped into a dimly-lit, minimalist industrial-chic space with raw, concrete flooring and metal finishing. Meaning "vault" in Japanese, this is a nod to the premise's past life as a bank.

Welcome to Boruto Japanese Tapas & Sake Bar, a double-storey establishment located along South Bridge Road that offers modern tapas dishes, as well as a wide variety of sake, shoju and Japanese whisky, most of which are exclusively brought in.

Not too much of drinkers ourselves (PinkyPiggu prefers to eat her calories), we indulged in their food which turned out to be so memorably good that we made repeated visits. Ooh that Uni Pasta and Saga Beef & Foie Gras Rice Bowl!!!

September 22, 2016

When mummy suggested to have Sembawang white beehoon for dinner, my first reaction was, "Aiyah don't want lah. Sembawang so far, so hot, and you want to queue meh?"

I then realized she meant the branch at Toa Payoh near where she stays. Oh yes, there is air-conditioned comfort and the queue wasn't too long since we chiong-ed for early dinner.

For those who have yet to know, the popular Sembawang White Bee Hoon at Jalan Tampang's You Huak Restaurant has went on to open more branches at Punggol, Sun Plaza and Toa Payoh since the 2nd generation owner took over. It is now rebranded as White Restaurant, The Original Sembawang White Beehoon, in relation to their signature dish.

September 20, 2016

Contemporary sushi diner Ryo Sushi has opened last week at Orchid Hotel, at the exact spot where Cake Spade used to be before they moved to a bigger unit down Tanjong Pagar Road.

The "24 Hr Diner" signage can be misleading as the sushi bar currently opens only for certain hours during lunch and dinner services, and is closed on Sundays, though there are plans to move into the round-the-clock concept once operations settles down with sufficient manpower.

With a opening promotion that offers diners a chance to experience 10-course Omakase menu at a jaw-dropping cheap price of $18nett, we were sold....

September 18, 2016

Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter. Which season is the most..... beautiful delicious?

Our perpetually sunny Singapore might not be in a locational position to live through any weather changes of the four seasons, but we are blessed to be a gastronomic island where different periods of the year can be experienced through..... food!

Starting this September for 3 months, Lewin Terrace presents flavors of Japanese Autumn through beautifully-crafted Japanese-French fusion dishes in its latest Sho-Mi menu.

September 16, 2016

My balloon-like waistline was prepared to let it go when my friend and I made plans to meet for afternoon tea and cakes at Butterknife Folk. Literally a new kid on the shophouse block along River Valley Road, the recently-opened patisserie specializes in French-inspired cakes, as well as gelato and coffee.

If these doesn't sound enticing yet, wait till the moment when those luscious cakes come into sight.

September 12, 2016

PinkyPiggu loves DW Workshop! And there are good reasons for making such a bold statement.

Occupying a charming black and white colonial heritage building, DW has several concepts converging at one location. It is a bistro, hipster café, as much as it is a design workshop and retail space as well.

Eat, drink, create, shop, all at once. Its premises is sooooo chio and so Instagrammable too!

If there is a best-kept "secret" in the Rochester Drive, it could very well be DW.

September 10, 2016

Those who want to start eating light and right might want to check out Peach Blossoms' specially-crafted Organic Healthy Food menu that is available only for the month of September.

Featuring predominately organic plant-based, nutrient-rich ingredients such as mushrooms, beancurd and a wide variety of vegetables, the new dishes are a refreshing change from the heaviness of a typical Chinese meal.

Lest you think vegetables are boring, I shall tell you why it is more interesting than imagine.

September 08, 2016

Shortly after my visit to Pontini at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel last year, I was informed that the Italian restaurant will be closed as part of the hotel's refurbishment plans. My hopes for its re-opening never materialize, which is rather sad. What a pity for a decade-old establishment that has garnered many accolades, including "Top Restaurant (Italian Category)" for the Weekender Singapore’s Foodmania Awards 2015.

But I guess it's always welcoming to experience fresh beginnings. The hotel's new Contemporary Italian Grill, Grissini, is not without its charms too.

September 06, 2016

Available from now till 15th October 2016, Sichuan food lovers would definitely want to check out Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant 四川豆花饭庄 for their a-la carte buffet featuring a mind-boggling selection of 100 dishes that aims to showcase the true essence of Sichuan cuisine.

Wait. True essence of Sichuan cuisine? You mean there is more to its trademark 'mala' 麻辣 flavor?

Yes!!! The commonly held perception of Sichuan Cuisine as being predominately spicy and tongue-numbing is broken!

Perched high on level 62 of One Raffles Place, the restaurant is synonymous with quality fine-dining while offering a spectacular view of Singapore's city skyline. Not surprisingly, it is the choice for many when it comes to selecting a venue for that romantic night out or celebratory occasion.

The reason for my visit was simple: I have to check out Stellar's 8-course Kokumi Constellation ($190++) menu which is available only for a limited period from now till 15th September this month!

August 30, 2016

One need not cross the causeway for a meal at JB Ah Meng Kitchen, for it is not located at JB (Johor Bahru) but in the heart of Singapore's red light district, Geylang.

Some might find it difficult to spot the Chinese zhi char stall as it is not prominently visible from the main road. It is kind of hidden between two buildings, tucked inside an alleyway. Thankfully I had my friends guiding the way during my first time there. That is not exactly an area where a girl should wander around alone lol.